IBM WorkPad 8602-20X Handheld

Hello,

I have been using my c3 for about a year now and would like to share some observations.

This is identical to the Vx from Palm Inc. The only physical difference is the flat black finish and IBM logo. Compared to the latest technology available today, it is still an excellent product to organize To Do's, Addresses, Phone numbers, Schedules, and Email from your Inbox. The Workpad includes software for integration with Notes R5 that is the best I have seen for a PDA. It even includes the ability to synchronize your Memos with the Notes Personal Journal database. In addition, it works fine with Outlook Express. If you want to use MS Outlook, I think that you may have to purchase additional software. If you go with the Palm VX, it should already be included.

Synchronization via InfraRed and Serial Port are smooth with Windows 98SE and Windows 2000. I have not tried XP. I found a few issues with Windows 95 and would not recommend this operating system if you want to use InfraRed. The Palm Operating System on the c3 (version 3x) is incredibly fast until you start to reach the 8MB limit. Because most tasks and Email are not much memory, I had to download Web pages to reach the limit. If you use 4MB for your work, it will be a lot. I can go over a week on a single charge and that includes synchronizing daily and using the c3 for taking notes, updating schedules, and reviewing Email.

The power button broke after about 11 months of use and IBM exchanged the unit for a refurbished c3. It worked fine, but the finish began to flake off in some areas and revealed the Palm Vx skin underneath. The screen is very clear in most lighting conditions, except bright sunlight and intense flourescent lighting. As with most Palm PDAs, exercise caution with the screen. It WILL scratch with supplied stylus (the Palm Vx has better ones), so spend a few dollars and get a good quality instrument that has a very smooth tip or invest in PDA screen protectors.